then came president obama's election in 2008. health care reform igniting the tea party movement and then demint quickly became a leader and re hetorical flamethrower. >> if we're able to stop obama on this, it will be his waterloo. >> but demint had no significant legislative impact or victories regularly bucking the republican establishment, supporting senate candidates close to his own view of conservatism with, of course, mixed success. >> i've been criticized by some of my republican colleagues for saying i'd rather have 30 republicans in the senate who believe in the principles of freedom than 60 who don't believe in anything. >> he was an early supporter of florida senator marco rubio. now the gop star, incoming senator cruz who tells mike lee all on the demint list. while 15 won primaries just seven are united states senators today. many party leaders, in fact, blame demint for high-profile senate losses in indiana, delaware, colorado and nevada and in a statement made yesterday minority leader mitch mcconnell said this.